This month’s inspiring businesswoman interview is with Sara Harris, who has recently set up The Stellar VA, supporting small business owners to reclaim their time and take on some of the tasks that can lead to overwhelm. She shares the best piece of career advice she’s had and who her dream clients are. Read on to find out more…

What was your first job? Did you enjoy it?

My first ‘proper’ job was my internship at The Walt Disney Company in Hammersmith, which I did as part of my university degree. I was a brand marketing Intern for just over a year and absolutely loved it. 

I was in the Home Entertainment division, so it was a big department, and I got to work with a great team in both the UK and the US and alongside agencies.  It was really exciting and fast-paced, and I was very fortunate that I got to attend film premieres as part of the role!

What do you do now? Is this what you originally trained to do?

I currently work as an Executive Assistant, supporting a managing director and their leadership team, and I’m now in my 9th year in this role. It’s a career I genuinely love – it’s fast-paced, varied, and allows me to be the trusted linchpin who keeps everything running smoothly.

I originally studied Business Studies at university, which gave me a broad grounding in how businesses operate. I started my career in marketing, but while working at Disney and Ocado, I was exposed to the world of executive assistants and realised marketing wasn’t my forever path. After six years, I made the switch to be an EA and haven’t looked back.

Outside my 9–5 role, I’ve recently launched my own freelance business as a virtual assistant, The Stellar VA, where I provide ad-hoc support to small businesses. I’d love you to come and follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn.

With nine years of EA experience, transitioning into virtual support feels like a natural next step. Small businesses need reliable, proactive support just as much as large organisations, and that’s where The Stellar VA comes in!

How do your services help small business owners?

My services help small business owners reclaim their time and reduce the mental load that comes with running a business. Many founders are juggling everything themselves, which can quickly lead to overwhelm and burnout.

By stepping in as a VA, I take care of the admin, organisation, and behind-the-scenes tasks that don’t need to sit on their to-do list. This allows business owners to focus on growth, strategy, and the parts of their business they actually enjoy.

Using my EA experience, I work proactively – anticipating needs, spotting problems before they arise, and creating structure where things feel messy or reactive. I’m not just completing tasks; I’m providing reliable, professional support that helps small businesses run more smoothly and sustainably.

In short, I help small business owners feel supported, organised, and back in control of their time.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve been given? How did it help you?

The best piece of career advice I’ve been given is not to chase job titles, but to chase roles that play to your strengths and energise you.

Early in my career, I felt pressure to follow a “logical” path and stick with what I’d already invested time in. But hearing this advice gave me permission to pause and really assess where I added the most value and what kind of work I actually enjoyed.

That mindset is what gave me the confidence to move from marketing into an Executive Assistant role – even though, on paper, it looked like a change in direction. In reality, it was a move towards work that suited my skillset far better.

It’s helped me build a career I genuinely enjoy, and it’s the same approach I take now in my business, focusing on doing work I’m good at that delivers real value, rather than following a path that no longer fits.

If you could give your 20-year-old self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

It’s completely okay not to have it all figured out.

There’s a lot of pressure when you’re young to choose a “forever” career, but the truth is that clarity often comes through experience, not planning. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned came from simply saying yes to opportunities, gaining hands-on experience, and discovering – sometimes unexpectedly – what I did and didn’t enjoy.

Every role teaches you something, even the ones that aren’t the right long-term fit. Experience can open your eyes to careers you didn’t even know existed, and each step helps shape what comes next.

So, I’d remind myself to take it one step at a time, stay curious, and trust that learning as you go is not falling behind – it’s how you build a career that aligns with your purpose and values.

Which do you prefer, tea or coffee? Beach or pool? Seaside or countryside?

Oh, tricky ones! Ok, here it goes, definitely prefer tea, but if I’m out and about, then I do like to treat myself to a proper coffee (my go-to is a decaf latte!). I love the beach, and have spent many holidays down on the Cornish beaches and up along the Northumberland Coast too. I love escaping to the seaside, there is just something about being by the sea, it’s my happy place.

What’s your dream job or client?

My dream role is to become a full-time VA, building a career that gives me both flexibility and purpose. It would allow me to spend far more time up North with my family in Northumberland, with the long-term goal of potentially moving there permanently. Having a career that supports both meaningful work and a life that feels balanced and grounded is incredibly important to me.

My dream clients are small business owners with big ideas who are looking for a steady, skilled, and reliable VA they can truly trust. I love working with clients where I can build long-term relationships, really understand their business, and become a genuine extension of their team.

The most fulfilling partnerships are those where I can bring calm to the chaos, create structure and clarity, and support business owners as they grow and thrive. Being part of that journey and knowing I’ve helped someone build something sustainable and successful is what motivates me every day.